Turtle hatchling

About marine and polar conservation

Oceans cover 70% of the Earth’s surface and support an extraordinarily diverse world. Only a fraction of it has been discovered so far and much of ocean life remains a mystery which IUCN experts are striving to unveil.

It is estimated that more than 1 million species live on coral reefs alone, and as many as 10 million in the deep seas.

The threats facing the marine environment are numerous and complex yet less than 2% of the oceans are protected.

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What's new?

Sargasso Sea

Sargasso Sea Alliance Honored with esteemed 2013 International Seakeepers Award

The Sargasso Sea Alliance, an initiative partnered and hosted by IUCN, has been honoured with the 2013 International Seakeepers Award. This recognises the Alliance’s efforts in working towards securing international protection for the Sargasso Sea, an ecosystem of great biological importance that is home to a rich community of hundreds of species. …  

24 Sep 2013 | News story

IMPAC 3 programme

IMPAC 3: The Programme is now online !

The Third International Marine Protected Areas Congress due to take place from 21 to 27 October in Marseille and Corsica, is now approaching. Publishing the programme on www.impac3.org is a new milestone towards the Congress, paving the way for registrations (discount applicable until 20 August). …  

24 Sep 2013 | Article

Xprize Ocean Health

IUCN hails launch of XPRIZE on ocean health

The Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPRIZE, launched this week with IUCN as a partner, promises to improve our understanding of how carbon dioxide emissions are driving the process of ocean acidification, a global threat that could greatly affect multiple levels of the ocean's food chain.
  …  

10 Sep 2013 | News story

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Featured Event: IMPAC 3
  • 3rd International Marine Protected Areas Congress
FEATURED PROJECTS
  • Coral Iridogorgia
Donate NOW ! Alison Sudol's fundraising campaign
  • Start a riot - Crowdrise
  • Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP)
  • GOBI
IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group (CLICK IMAGE)
  • Short-beaked common dolphins

    Short-beaked common dolphins

    Photo: Giovanni Bearzi Tethys